I got into a conversation the other day with a truck owner and we started discussing different technologies and advancements that have transpired in our industry. The conversation started with the use of the Michelin wide base single tires I use on m truck and trailer.
He started grilling me about all the reasons why the wide base single tires would not be the best business decision. This is when I said to him if you are looking for reasons why a wide base single will not work for you that is all you are going to find. This is when I told him that I tried to figure out ways to make the tires work.
I said the advantage list to me was, lighter tare weight, rotating weight, and un sprung weight. Lighter tare weight allows you the capacity to haul more freight and be more competitive in the market place, less rotating weight improves vehicle performance and efficiencies, and less un sprung weight improves ride quality.
Of course, he said to me what if you get a flat? That is when I answered it is my goal to not get a flat. I shared with him that I took precautions to lower my chances of destroying a wide base single tire while traveling down the highway. First and foremost, I have a tire monitor which tells me the air pressure and temperature of all of the tire positions on my truck and trailer. The majority of tire failures are caused by a slow leak which causes the tire to flex more while going down the highway causing heat buildup which eventually will allow the tire to disintegrate. It is important to note that heat is used to put a tire together and the same heat from running a tire low in regards to inflation pressure will cause it to fail.
Next, I shared with him that I carry a tire plug kit and an air hose which I can hook to my trailer supply airline to take care of any slow leaks while I am on the highway. At this point we discussed the only thing I cannot take out of the equation is a major destructive gash which could cause a catastrophic loss of a tire casing. He looked at me and said that takes care of about 99% of anything you would worry about and I looked back at him and said I agree.
If a person is looking for a reason why something won’t work or a reason to make something work you will probably find what you are looking for. Next, he said this is really not any different than the HOS and electronic logging devices, if you are looking for a way to make them work in your favor you will be able to find it.
We parted ways and decided to go through our day looking for ways to make things work in our favor vs. the attitude of “it will never work”
You all have a nice day. Now make it “work” for you.